By Dan Murphy
Congressman Mike Lawler’s campaign committee has begun its $5 million TV ad buy in NY-17 with an ad focusing on Lawler’s ability to help force the inclusion of an increase in the tax deduction for state and local taxes (SALT).
First, we wonder how many people know and understand what SALT is, and how Lawler helped increase the SALT tax deduction from $10,000 to $40,000.
Why is this so critical for Westchester residents? Any Westchester homeowner can now deduct ALL their property taxes up to $40,000.
The ad specifically features Hudson Valley residents talking about tax savings, including a family identified as the Foxes, who say they received a $4,000 tax cut after the SALT cap was increased. It also features retirees discussing the new senior deduction and people discussing deductions for tips and overtime.
The ad also addresses the issue central to Democrats’ successes in November: affordability. Many residents in NY-17 have seen larger tax refunds of between $3,000-$5,000 on average, from the increased SALT deduction. And for those residents in NY-17 who do not own a home, your recent tax return included more savings, or a refund, thanks to the budget bill, infamously known as the big, beautiful bill.
The ad also shows Lawler’s independent streak. He was one of a few Republican holdouts who insisted on changing the SALT deduction.
In the ad, President Trump is quoted from a stump speech where he called Lawler “A pain in the ass” for his insistence on SALT changes.
The ad also alleges that his opponent, Cait Conley, “opposed increasing SALT.”
We will delve more into that allegation next week.
So, we ask our fellow residents of NY-17 how many times have you seen this commercial?
: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2476813722829130
I have seen it at least 50 times on YouTube.
But it’s not even Labor Day yet, so these ads and mailings will continue until November, and Republicans have substantially more television advertising reserved in the district than Democrats at this point.